She died Thursday after falling ill at work and being hospitalized. The Cherry Grove resident was 56.

"She was always willing to help her customers and co-workers," said Diane Schlosser, a friend and co-worker. "And she will always be remembered for her fine sense of humor, style and grace. She was a wonderful friend."

Rose Wendling, also a friend and co-worker, said Mrs. Hoemmelmeyer was a caring, giving person who was wonderful to be around.

"She was a good mom and a great friend," said Wendling. "... She was professional, yet she was good to talk to".

Mrs. Hoemmelmeyer was a past Enquirer Pinnacle Sales Award winner. Born in Cincinnati, she grew up in Anderson Township and graduated from Anderson High School in 1966.

"She was dearly loved and will be very much missed," said one of her sons, Richard "Jason" Helmers of Anderson Township.

An active volunteer at Clermont County Board of MRDD, she helped with Special Olympics events. She served on the advisory committee for restaurant operations at Live Oaks Career Development Campus.

She and her husband, Paul, were avid golfers and fishermen and they spent most of their summer weekends fishing with friends.

Other survivors include her parents, Douglas and Mary Gibson of Cherry Grove; another son, Paul M. Hoemmelmeyer of Cherry Grove; and two grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at Fares J. Radel Funeral Homes and Crematory, 5950 Kellogg Ave., California (Cincinnati).

Memorials: Clermont County Board of MRDD, 4231 Grisson Drive, P.O. Box 156, Batavia, OH 45103.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com